PopsiB

While I cannot comment about the tea situation on Britannia as I have no direct knowledge of the situation, I would be surprised if such a British event as Tea Service was being withdrawn. P&O empahsises its Britishness and the British Tea Time is renown all over the world. What I would comment on is the number of incorrect comments made on various Facebook threads. I have read all sorts of things that are just wrong. I have heard how P&O do not allow you to take alcohol on board and it will be removed at check in, I have read comments about individual ships which are wrong. I'm always surprised at people asking very basic questions after they have booked a cruise - e.g. Does P&O have a dress code? I find it very surprising that people seem to book a cruise without the most basic knowledge about what they are booking. Why don't people look at the P&O website, look at a brochure before booking their cruise? I certainly wouldn't rely on any Facebook comment as being correct. Forums like this one are useful because people who have been on the ships many times do have a wealth of knowledge and can help new cruisers. I am always wary of any comments that begin "I have heard that....." One recent example is that comment that Sky News was being removed from the TVs on P&O ships - turned out to be wrong. Be careful when things are just rumours.

This is so true, when we first cruised I used the P&O Cruise Community and found out a lot but we had read the brochure and the website first before booking. At that time I didn't use fb and I also used this and two other long standing forums to gather my information for past and upcoming cruises. In light of MSC bringing a ship to sail from UK and are promoting all things British such as afternoon tea and kettles in cabins it would be sheer folly of P&O to remove these aspects of the cruise experience.

Well I am on her next week, on her first cruise back with P@O. We wanted to book a suite but they were sold out very quickly , I think because of the half price offer that we and others received.

We are in a balcony cabin, B deck midships and I will be taking lots of photos. And will report back how I find her.

 

But....I have never been successful in uploading them to CC as a decent size....if anyone can help with advice on that would be very welcome! Mine always end up as little thumbnails!

I can't really help for uploading photos but there is a detailed "Stickie" I think. Or something if you click on the photo symbol.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing you photos as we are on in four weeks time in a B deck midships balcony. First cruise on Adonia for us. :D

Champagne Fountain

We had one on our first cruise on Oceana in the Caribbean in 2004. It was lovely until you realise they only use about three bottles of champagne and don't fill the remaining glasses. It was just dismantled and all gone in no time, like a market stall disappearing at the end of the day.

I do have a photo of me pouring a bottle into one the top glasses with the Executive Chef.

:D We all have our preferences...but for me Twinings is far superior to any other! Used to like Yorkshire but since we've moved it doesn't taste the same....

It's our Lincolnshire water that does it. I'm now used to the taste but I have been here 30 years. I'm more of a coffee drinker myself.

I've never had the Epicurean afternoon tea, largely because of my egg intolerance but also as people say how sweet they are. I like the free afternoon tea in the Main Dining Room (MDR), I like the crumpets, and it's great if you miss lunch and can't last until dinner!

 

 

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We tried the Epicurean Tea on Britannia but it was far to sweet for us. We prefer the MDR Afternoon Tea, Not that we use that very often. Lovely for a change though. I agree if lunch is missed and you are on second sitting you would be really hungry by 8.30pm.

Those little sachets are great for taste for us fussy ones (I hate those little UHT pots too) but do be careful when opening them as you can end up splashing a jet of milk all over the place ;)

I got round that by using a small pair of scissors to cut the tops off the milk.

Epicurean Afternoon teas are now on Azura and Ventura at a cost of £15.00 per person.

Thanks for a prompt reply Jon, as we are only sailing for 7 days the whole package could be OTT. This sounds like it may be our best option if we still want some after seeing them.

June:)

Has anyone any experience of this years package? One has special 180 Champagne flutes I wondered if these were available to buy on board any of the ships this year or if they only via the packages.

Thank you:)

It's still P&O crew. The reviews where food hasn't been liked is Americans not liking traditional British fayre. They struggle with the cutlery and looking on the videos on Utube the Fathom style was very laid back compared to P&O.

I think a mini update will remove all signs of Fathom between June 4th and 16th and she will return to Southampton with a lot of eager Passengers waiting to see her.

We are looking forward to our first cruise on her in July.

On the Christmas 28 night cruise on Azura bought as a full cruise not B2B we still had to attend both Barbados and New Orleans Musters'.

I think this is a really good step forward however I think they should make it a ship wide event that ALL passengers attend without exclusion.

It's time this procedure was the same on all ships and when sailing from any country.

My OH bought me a TAG watch on Britannia which worked out less than local shops away and at home.

Recently back from Azura and the shops had a good range of watches to suit many pockets. Have an idea of some prices prior to going and then bear in mind that P&O do a "price match" with many ports of call. So even Gibraltar's prices can be matched and then you will still get your Discount according to your Peninsular Tier status.

Check out our Britannia Baltic Roll Call for ideas for all the Ports of call. There were a few who organised separate excursions in ports. Britannia-B509-Baltic- May/June 2015 should get you there.

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We did the two day Alla tour which included the Faberge Museum. Wonderful excursion and would highly recommend. Some of our group also did the ballet in the evening.

We were also on Britannia for our Baltic cruise, great itinerary. There is a roll call for the one I did which had some really useful information.

A very active thread and many organised trips among the group.

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Just wondering how you enjoyed your recent cruise and sailing with Captain Hoyt. I hope you had a chance to speak to him and tell him a lot of his former NCL passengers miss him.

Hi lorvit,

Wonderful cruise and yes I did have an opportunity to tell him that the passengers on Cruise Critic from NCL miss him. We were in port with a couple of NCL ships and I did wonder if the Captains had a get together.

He seems a very nice man and appeared to be a very good Captain.

I wonder if he will get P&O's new ship in 2020 which is being built at Meyer Werft

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What was the entertainment in Brodies?

I didn't visit often but it appears to have been Karaoke on Formal nights and quizzes other nights in a pub atmosphere. I'm only guessing at Brodie's as this is the venue that seemed to be discussed a great deal.

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Azura 633 we had as mentioned above, also Jimmy James and Mark Walker were both excellent, some other singers but not tribute act, two Welsh brothers originally The Johnson's from Britain's got Talent. Lulu/ Dusty Springfield Tribute act. There were other tribute acts but we don't usually bother with them. The Headliners put on some varied shows the only problem was they couldn't sing.

I think the most popular entertainment was in Brodie's each evening.

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How do you know who the captains are?

P&O's past passengers are part of their Peninsular Club and get a magazine twice yearly which gives a list of each ship and the senior crew on them for the next few cruises. As we sail at the weekend many of these Officers will already be on board.

I know that Captain Evans Hoyt left NCL last year and is now with Carnival UK,

P&O Cruises and Cunard. Does anyone know what ship he is currently sailing?

Hi, we have just had a magazine showing Captain Evans Hoyt is joining Azura on 10th January as Master. Just came onto here to see what NCLpassengers think of him as we join Azura the same day as he does.

Yes, they are all companies with Internet access - it is readily available in our country. And better yet, they're are all companies with functioning websites....

 

Enjoy your visit.

Thank you reedprincess,

We are all looking forward to visiting your beautiful island again.

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Serenity TVL has an actual "tour" for PI. Or cab organize several vehicles if needed (I'm assuming you have more than12 people?) Cabs are readily available and most are vans that seat 12... Island Man Taxi and Tours, PHV Tours and Taxi, etc cab all organize multiple vehicles if needed.

Thank you so much are there all companies with Internet access.

Regards

Many thanks I've passed this information onto my friend for his cruise.

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Does anyone know the best company to pre book a couple of mini buses or other transport to Pigeon Island for the day and return us back to the port.

TIA :)

Is it possible for a Gent to get a shave in the salon on QM2 or is it only a hair cut that is available ?

Thank you

Usually on Barbados flights you have dinner and a light snack similar to afternoon tea as your two meals.

On the return flight an evening meal and then some type of breakfast dish prior to landing in the morning, if really early it may not be quite as described above.

Food is much better than we had two years ago on BA. I was embarrassed to be British with the pathetic offering we had on an overnight flight from Miami back into Heathrow. I dread to think what other Nationality flyers thought.

Hi Will,

If either if you use a lot of milk ask your Butler and he will be able to get you a large carton of milk. We had a one litre one which was useful for cereals in a morning as well.

J & D